Batley in mourning for Bruce
THE Rugby Football League and the Batley Bulldogs have said they will provide support for the family of Archie Bruce, after the 20-year-old was found dead in his hotel bedroom the morning following his debut for the Championship side. An inquiry into the cause of Bruce’s death after the match in Toulouse was being conducted, as team-mates delayed their journey home. There are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances. A shocked Bulldogs chairman, Kevin Nicholas, released a statement paying tribute to the youngster, who had come off the bench during the 46-0 defeat. ‘Batley Bulldogs are greatly saddened to announce the passing of their player Archie Bruce who was found in his hotel bedroom early this morning,’ it read. ‘Archie’s immediate family have been informed. Batley Bulldogs, the Rugby Football League and the RFL Benevolent Fund will be supporting the family.’ Batley said Bruce had been training with them for the 2019 season with a view to the 2020 campaign, but was handed his first professional appearance against Toulouse by head coach Matt Diskin ‘due to his energy and enthusiasm’. The Bulldogs added that he ‘made a great impact with darting runs’ when he came on for the last 30 minutes and ‘his excitement was clear for all to see post- match’. They described Bruce as a ‘smart, polite, funny and extremely likeable young man’ and called his death ‘an absolute tragedy’. The RFL Benevolent Fund has created a JustGiving page in Bruce’s name. A minute’s silence in his memory was observed before yesterday’s Championship matches.